Social psychological explanations: deindividuation

Question 1

What is deindividuation?

Answer 1

A psychological state that people enter once they are in a situation that leads to the loss of their social identity

Question 2

Which are the 2 psychologists associated with deindividuation?

Answer 2

Le Bon and Zimbardo

Question 3

What did Le Bon suggest?

Answer 3

• Crowds can lead to deindividuation since in them, individuals are less identifiable and do not stand out
• Since they can act however they please with no restrains, they may act aggressively
• Diffusion of responsibility = less guilt/remorse for their actions

Question 4

What did Zimbardo suggest?

Answer 4

• The 3D’s (darkness, distance and drugs) can lead to deindividuation
• deindividuative behaviours are impulsive, irrational and emotional which is why they are so likely to happen

Question 5

What did Prentice Dunn and Rogers suggest?

Answer 5

They highlighted 2 specific reasons why people become deindividuated by crowds, uniform and other influences
- Private self-awareness is inhibited: in the deindividuated state we are not self-aware of our behaviours being appropriate or not
- Public self-awareness is inhibited: in the deindividuated state we do not care about the opinion of others about our behaviour

Question 6

Evaluate deindividuation

Answer 6

S: It is good for improving the economy. If we keep putting CCTVs and increased presence of police, we lower aggressive behaviour, crime rates, pressure on police force and improve mental health

RL: Gerger et al suggested deindividuation does not always link to aggression. He placed 8 people in a dark room and told them they would never see each other ever again and it did not take long for them to start kissing each other. In another variation they were told they would see each other again and there was conversation but no kissing. No aggressive behaviour was displayed in any circumstances